Actually the comment on the blast cloud is incorrect. Considering what we know... the device is a 20 megaton thermonuclear bomb, Denver is at a higher altitude than Kansas, and the bomb was a surface detonation. First there would be a mushroom cloud. Second that cloud could extend up to 25 miles altitude. Against the setting sun that cloud would be visible for a very long distance. Geometrically speaking I would not be surprised to determine that the towns on the eastern border of Kansas would be able to see a portion of the cloud. The only error is that the fallout occurred less than 24 hours from time of detonation. Considering the bomb is manufactured with foreign uranium and thus potentially a "dirty" bomb the fallout would still be quite active and affect a much larger region. Since Jericho is only approximately 200 miles or less from Denver it would have been unsafe for outdoor exposure for about 3 days. The comment on the top 18" is incorrect. It is 36" of topsoil. The water would be contaminated period since the soil would runoff with rain into streams and creeks and thus back into the water table. Jericho might be saved from the extreme fallout - chemicals with heavier molecular structures. That would probably fall short of Jericho by about 50 miles. The further away from Denver the lighter the fallout molecularly. Only the very fine and light particles would remain airborne for an unknown length of time but quite possibly for years. With the large number of surface detonations you would see millions of tons of debris forced into the atmosphere. This would create a thin layer over the northern hemisphere causing a world-wide nuclear winter. Similar effects have been seen with large volcanic eruptions that launch a significantly lower amount of particulates into the upper atmosphere. If these devices had been slightly smaller then the fallout scenario would be much more accurate since the particulate matter would not have been cast into the upper atmosphere but have remained in the lower atmospheres and thus falling at a much more rapid rate. Either way Jericho would be exposed to a measurable amount of radiation. The latter of course being a much smaller level and thus most likely only resulting in cancer late in life. The former resulting in a significant decrease in white blood cells, possibly some nervous system damage, cancerous cell development, and numerous diseases brought about by the body's inability to combat infections from the loss of white blood cells. Only the very healthy would be unaffected as they would be able to replace the lost cells at a more rapid pace.
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